Drew leads Gym'Backs at Nebraska

Jump to agate LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Arkansas junior Cassie Drew tied for second in the all-around leading the 20th-ranked Gym’Backs to a 196.475-195.900 non-conference loss at No. 11 Nebraska Sunday in the final meet of the regular season. Drew scored a 9.850 on vault, a 9.825 on bars, a 9.725 on beam and a 9.80 on floor for a career-best 39.200 in the all-around. Sophomore Emily Peacock and junior Rachel Barnett each had a 9.850 on floor tying for second overall. “The team did a really good job today,” said co-head coach Rene Cook. “It’s nice to see us hit on the road again. This will help us prepare for SECs where we’ll be in a dogfight with Kentucky to move into the top 18.” “I was very impressed with Cassie today,” Cook added. “She hit on all four events and it’s nice to see her do that.” Arkansas opened the double-dual on the bars posting a 49.00 for the third time this season. The Gym’Backs were paced by a season-best 9.775 by senior Dana McQuillin. Senior Hannah McLeod returned to the bars lineup tying her season-best with a 9.775 as well. Drew and senior Melissa Leigh both posted a 9.825 leading Arkansas on the event. The Gym’Backs narrowly trailed their host, 49.200-49.000 after one rotation. Arkansas’ vault scores were solid but not high enough to match Nebraska. The Gym’Backs got a season high from sophomore Samantha Cortez with a 9.80 and Drew led Arkansas with a 9.850 as they posted a 48.875. Nebraska tallied a 49.075 on the bars to lead Arkansas 98.275-97.925 after two rotations. The Huskers continued their high-scoring performance on the beam while Arkansas moved to the floor in the third rotation. Arkansas opened with a 9.80 from Drew followed by a 9.80 from McQuillin. Sophomore Mallory Machnik followed with a 9.825 along with senior Katie Hardman’s 9.725. The Gym’Backs wrapped up with a pair of 9.850s from Barnett and sophomore Emily Peacock as Arkansas closed the gap. The Huskers led the meet 147.425-147.050 after three rotations with the beam remaining for the Gym’Backs. The Gym’Backs moved to the beam, one of the team’s strongest events of the season. Arkansas opened with a 9.80 from Peacock followed by a 9.725 from Drew. Barnett added a 9.750 and Machnik tallied a 9.725. McQuillin scored a 9.80 and Hardman finished with a 9.775 for Arkansas. The Gym’Backs depart late in the week for the 2006 Southeastern Conference Championship in the Birmingham Civic Center in Birmingham, Ala., March 25, at 6:00 p.m. Arkansas returns home hosting the 2006 NCAA South Central Regional Championship April 8 in Barnhill Arena. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics or for tickets to the regional meet, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.